Will laughed at the thought.
The staff could wear costumes, and the menu could be filled with pirate puns.
‘Am I going overboard?’ he asked the mooching seagull.
Pastel lemon on the paint chart caught his attention, taking his mind to a rustic farmhouse with animals and warmth. Ginny.
Will smiled. He knew exactly what to do.
Chapter 26
Ginny
‘I can’t believe it’s January already,’ said Ginny, handing over two slices of her own handmade lemon drizzle cake to Samuel.
‘I know, and what a year last year was.’ Samuel took the cakes over to the couple by the window in Ginny’s café.
Tell me about it!
She was hoping the new year would bring less chaos and more stability, especially as she had a farmhouse to move in to.
Samuel came back to the counter and took a swig of water. ‘They’re the last two for the evening.’
Ginny glanced at the clock. It had just gone seven. She went to speak but smiled instead as Samuel’s staff came out of the kitchen to head off, having finished their shift. She thanked them all, then saw them out, turning the sign on the door toClosed.
‘How’s it been?’ asked Samuel, following her around the counter.
‘It’s okay. Two nights a week is manageable for me, but honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see that many in need of a free meal. Don’t get me wrong, I know how many food parcels we hand out at the Hub, but still, I was surprised.’
Samuel nodded. ‘It’s like that at The Food Bank Café. I know we’re set up for exactly that purpose, but it’s still shocking to see so many people in need.’
Ginny stole a peek at the couple by the window. They were chatting quietly while enjoying her cake and seemed happy enough. ‘This is one of the problems we face at the Hub,’ she whispered to Samuel. ‘Sometimes it just breaks our hearts.’
‘Yeah, I know.’
‘I’m glad you asked me to do this with the café. I know two evenings a week isn’t much, but it all helps.’
Samuel gestured at the front door. ‘Especially during this dreary month.’
‘I always find January a good month for baking.’
The couple stood, waving a goodbye and saying their thanks as they left.
Ginny went to clear their empty plates away. ‘And my cakes are going down well.’
‘Speaking of which,’ said Samuel, pointing at the window.
Ginny followed his eyes to see Sophie standing out in the cold, holding a large white box.
Samuel opened the door, then stayed there, letting the chilly air in.
Ginny stopped wondering what he was waiting for and turned to Sophie instead as she entered. ‘All right, chick. We were just about to head home.’
‘I know. That’s why we’re here.’ Sophie placed the box on a table and beamed, confusing Ginny even more.
‘Oh, about time,’ said Samuel, looking down the street.
Ginny stepped closer to him. ‘What are you talking . . .’ Her words drifted off as soon as she saw Lottie, Spencer, Robson, Matt, and Alice heading towards her café.
